Kindle
$26.86
Available instantly
Paperback
$28.27
Buy new:
-12% $28.27
FREE delivery July 25 - 26 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Ships from: Amazon.com
Sold by: Amazon.com
$28.27 with 12 percent savings
List Price: $32.00

The List Price is the suggested retail price of a new product as provided by a manufacturer, supplier, or seller. Except for books, Amazon will display a List Price if the product was purchased by customers on Amazon or offered by other retailers at or above the List Price in at least the past 90 days. List prices may not necessarily reflect the product's prevailing market price.
Learn more
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery July 25 - 26 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Or fastest delivery July 22 - 23
Usually ships within 2 to 3 days
$$28.27 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$28.27
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon.com
Ships from
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
$26.56
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may be missing bundled media. All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may be missing bundled media. See less
FREE delivery Thursday, July 18 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Or fastest delivery Wednesday, July 17. Order within 18 hrs 39 mins
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$28.27 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$28.27
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Mark Vail
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Vintage Synthesizers: Pioneering Designers, Groundbreaking Instruments, Collecting Tips, Mutants of Technology Paperback – April 1, 2000

by Mark Vail (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 67 ratings
See all formats and editions
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$28.27","priceAmount":28.27,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"28","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"27","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"1iOcGhjP6mEajqhqN1p5CLA2WRoXs6L1X%2B0jX0rFiAHAnEqaW5zawzmruk3BZwmt%2BMxPt0QpBXANpOjCMgKMjmXy3PpQRrKte8bgbdwhRmnMrUKyQKqnzeO6VXHtjoHIT4MbYnqkOjc%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$26.56","priceAmount":26.56,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"26","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"56","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"1iOcGhjP6mEajqhqN1p5CLA2WRoXs6L1K0BOLVXGh8eoGbskWtLQqdPg%2B7D1VhT%2FCxNPYTMNqASrkKK3nBggPkkfavw2qtKjPxHu1xDHFb%2FRQ4ra7POjK4XbqJUpq4oQfY%2FRElD8cIT%2F58WSKz9XaaKyurCOGO%2BZvDXbjqjZzNRjVDDFhkl19Q%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

This new edition is the ultimate exploration of the upstart instruments – and their unique analog growls and screams – that paved the way over the last four decades for today's fast-paced electronic music world. Explores the development of the modern synthesizer from 1962 on, with in-depth interviews with pioneering designers Bob Moog and Alan R. Pearlman of Moog Music and ARP Instruments fame. These and other designers reveal their initial ideas, reflect on their hits and misses, and discuss how star performers have used their creations. Histories of groundbreaking instruments examine modular, analog & digital synths and samplers, plus more unusual instruments like the Mellotron. Noted synthesist Keith Emerson and composer Wendy Carlos (“Switched-On Bach”) offer musical insights and performance techniques. Includes fully updated pricing and production info, and more than 200 photos.

Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    352 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Backbeat
  4. Publication date
    April 1, 2000
  5. Dimensions
    8.42 x 0.82 x 11.08 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0879306033
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0879306038
  8. See all details
Next slide of product details
The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Frequently bought together

Vintage Synthesizers: Pioneering Designers, Groundbreaking Instruments, Collecting Tips, Mutants of Technology
$28.27
Usually ships within 2 to 3 days
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
The Synthesizer: A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding, Programming, Playing, and Recording the Ultimate Electronic Music In
$58.00
Get it as soon as Thursday, Jul 18
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
Switched On: Bob Moog and the Synthesizer Revolution
$38.49
Get it as soon as Wednesday, Jul 17
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Details
Added to Cart
spCSRF_Control
Some of these items ship sooner than the others.
Show details Hide details
Choose items to buy together.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"For anyone interested in synthesizers, Vintage Synthesizers is a fascinating read. Be careful: it may fuel a lust for yet more equipment that would be fun to own." -- Computer Music Journal

"Informally anecdotal, yet packed with great info and historic detail. I couldnt put it down." -- Wendy Carlos, composer and synthesist, Switched-On Bach

"Mark Vails book could be the most entertaining and useful synth book yet." -- Sound On Sound

"The most comprehensive guide on this technology ever written. Highly recommended." --Mix

About the Author

Mark Vail is the senior associate editor of Keyboard. He joined the magazine in 1988, and assumed responsibility for the "Vintage Synths" column (now called "Vintage Gear") from Bob Moog in 1990. Vail is also the author of The Hammond Organ: Beauty in the B, and has performed with numerous San Francisco Bay Area bands.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Backbeat; Second edition (April 1, 2000)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0879306033
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0879306038
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.14 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.42 x 0.82 x 11.08 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 67 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Mark Vail

Mark Vail

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
67 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book cool, thorough, and a real value off list price. They also appreciate the fast shipping.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
ReadabilityValue
10 customers mention "Readability"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thorough, rich in information, and fascinating. They also say the collection of articles provides a fascinating panorama of the history and evolution of the subject.

"Interesting and informative read for me as just entering the synthesizer part of music." Read more

"...yhey deserve a chapterotherwise very good book" Read more

"...The book presents a fascinating panorama of the history and evolution of analog synths, and is a good study of what drives product success in the..." Read more

"Cool thorough book, but few color photos." Read more

3 customers mention "Value"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the value of the book. They say it's a real value off the list price.

"Book was in like new condition. Fast shipping. Book a real value off list price" Read more

"...read and a really cool history of the instrument... plus it gives you the current value of all of the instruments!" Read more

"Worth the price as an excellent reference guide on vintage synthesizers...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

avarner11
5.0 out of 5 stars Book in Great Shape
Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2019
Verified Purchase
Book was in like new condition. Fast shipping. Book a real value off list price
Helpful
 Report
J Phillips
4.0 out of 5 stars A trip back in time
Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2013
Verified Purchase
I bought a P600 new, just when the DX7 was introduced. Back then, I questioned removing myself from Yamaha's waiting list after only 8 months, and taking the old-school Prophet instead. But I still have it, Its in full working order, and I'm really glad now. Its also heartening to see that today, Dave Smith is reclaiming his turf ! All in all, I found the unique, American stories of Sequential, ARP, Moog, OB and the pianos a journey thru a life left behind. Don't believe the price reference of top-tier analog synths is accurate though. Probably just needs an update. I wish I'd have kept the P5 I got for free LOL couple years back. I'd recommend this book to anyone coming of age in the heyday. Kudos.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Edward Shumate
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2018
Verified Purchase
Interesting and informative read for me as just entering the synthesizer part of music.
Helpful
 Report
EFB
5.0 out of 5 stars i keep reading this one
Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2013
Verified Purchase
a wonderfull book
I keep reading it
and okee I also keep looking at the pictures
one extra chapter should be in it, on Roland. yhey deserve a chapter
otherwise very good book
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Kindle Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, but Scattershot
Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2006
This book doesn't read so much like a book as it reads like a collection of essays or old magazine articles (which is what it is, actually). It therefore doesn't have a coherent focus. I would much rather have a book that was written as a book, that follows a thread all the way through - like maybe a chapter pn the development of the oscillator, describing how it works, tracing it's development, pointing out the differences between the various makers, etc. Followed by a similar chapter on filter sytems, whatever. This book in no way does that. But, it is an interesting read anyway. Take note - the Second Edition does cover Japanese synths - Korg and Roland, although, again, in a typically scattershot manner.
15 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Valeria Bravo
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!
Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2014
Verified Purchase
I bought this as a present for my brother, who is a musician. He absolutely loved it! I definitely would recommend this for any vintage synthesizer lover :)
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
lumion
4.0 out of 5 stars Synthesizer Soundings
Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2011
Verified Purchase
As one of the designers of the early ARP 2500, it was interesting to see a recap of those years at the company. The book presents a fascinating panorama of the history and evolution of analog synths, and is a good study of what drives product success in the marketplace. It is interesting to note how technology has disruptively moved from analog to digital, making synthesizer design into a completely different process from what it was in the good old days.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
Massimo Biggio
5.0 out of 5 stars Un libro grandioso, per conoscere e sognare sulla storia degli strumenti elettronici.
Reviewed in Italy on April 16, 2018
Verified Purchase
Libro davvero bello e completo, formato quasi grande come un A4! 340 pagine per conoscere la storia dei synth e anche di tanti altri spettacolari strumenti elettronici, drum machine, keytar, organi e piani elettrici, campionatori e sequencer, dagli albori fino agli anni più recenti. E poi si ripassa anche l'inglese :) Immancabile!
Customer image
Massimo Biggio
5.0 out of 5 stars Un libro grandioso, per conoscere e sognare sulla storia degli strumenti elettronici.
Reviewed in Italy on April 16, 2018
Libro davvero bello e completo, formato quasi grande come un A4! 340 pagine per conoscere la storia dei synth e anche di tanti altri spettacolari strumenti elettronici, drum machine, keytar, organi e piani elettrici, campionatori e sequencer, dagli albori fino agli anni più recenti. E poi si ripassa anche l'inglese :) Immancabile!
Images in this review
Customer image Customer image Customer image Customer image
Customer imageCustomer imageCustomer imageCustomer image
One person found this helpful
 Report
andy evans
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent publication, in need of revision (& updates?)
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 11, 2016
Verified Purchase
Having read some of the other reviews, I was initially sceptical about buying this book, but the main problem (if there is one) is that this is a publication which would need to be constantly revised to keep it current. Since this particular publication is now some years old, it's not surprising that some of the info (mainly relating to market values) is now a little inaccurate (let face it, if you have an interest in old keyboards, you've probably already noticed the recent craze for insane second hand prices anyway).

If I have a criticism, it could be that quite a bit of space is given over to the relative woes of US based manufacturers over and above those of other (dare I say more significant) makers from other parts...

I could also wish there were more colour pics throughout rather than just the early section of the book & the quality of some monochrome pics could use some improvement.

Still, this is a great book - if this is a subject which you love (I admit, I'm guilty here) and it owes its publication to one of the major US music publications (Keyboard magazine).

I'd still recommend it though!
One person found this helpful
 Report
Frank
5.0 out of 5 stars Klare Empfehlung
Reviewed in Germany on January 6, 2016
Verified Purchase
Ganz klar Empfehlung für alle Vintage Synthesizer Interessierten, Das Buch beschreibt sehr gut mit vielen Bildern die verschiedensten Marken und jeweiligen Synthesizer. Hauptsächlich sind die Abbildungen in schwarz-weiß, jedoch am Anfang des Buches finden sich einige Farb-Fotos.
Report
Jose Javier
5.0 out of 5 stars Jose Javier
Reviewed in Spain on February 6, 2015
Verified Purchase
Muy recomendable, el produsto era como indicaba en la descripcion. 😋 😋 😋 😋 😋 😋 😋 😋 😋 😋
Report
hervé j.
4.0 out of 5 stars Pas assez synthétique !
Reviewed in France on June 8, 2013
Verified Purchase
Bien qu'en anglais, cet ouvrage est relativement facile à lire. Tout ceux qui ont bidouillé avec ces petites merveilles d'un autre siècle sont déja familiarisés avec les termes techniques en anglais (les modes d'emploi d'époque, toute une poésie!).

Je suis tombé un peu par hasard sur ce bouquin en recherchant un ouvrage sur le Mellotron (qui est traité ici). Hormis quelques pages de photos en couleur au début du volume (ah, les couleurs des Roland jupiter 8 et Yamaha CS 80, bonjour les mirettes!) les photos noir et blanc sont assez moches tout comme la mise en page et la typographie assez cheap (souvent des articles publiés dans Keyboard Magazine).

Ce livre est à la fois intéressant et décevant. Intéressant, car il livre mille détails ou anecdotes sur la genèse des pionniers de la lutherie électronique (Moog, Arp, Oberheim, Ems,Sequential circuit, Mellotron) et explique pourquoi ces marques anglo-saxonnes ont disparu, à cause de leur mauvaise gestion, puis balayées par les japonais.

On y parle aussi des rarissimes synthés français (Kobol) ou italiens (Siel, Crumar, Elka).

Le livre est décevant car il ne traite pas assez le côté musical (ce qui est un comble pour un livre sur les instruments de musique). A part quelquefois Keith Emerson, peu de musiciens sont cités et les descriptions des synthés ne font pas mention des oeuvres importantes correspondantes.

Par contre, le dossier économique est très bien traité (magouilles financières, analyses comptables) et vous saurez tout ce qu'il ne faut pas faire si vous souhaitez devenir un jour fabricant d'instruments électroniques.

Si l'on passe sur ces détails négatifs, ceux qui ont fauté comme moi avec ces instruments du diable se retrouveront avec un certain plaisir dans ce musée du synthé vintage (le bouquin couvre la période 1965, date des premières armoires Moog, jusqu'en 1985 environ, période de l'omnipotence japonaise, DX7 et samplers). Le côté historique est très bien traité, bien qu'un peu "bordélique" et j'ai découvert nombre de marques inconnues (presque toutes américaines) car pas importées en France.

J'en ai profité pour faire le total de mes achats de l'époque (Roland, Yamaha, Korg, principalement j'étais trop jeune pour le mini-Moog) et le total à la revente des années après (très peu parfois, vu l'indice d'obsolèscence de certains de ces "petits bijoux") fait un peu froid dans le dos (j'aurais mieux fait de capitaliser dans la Les Paul!).

Un bouquin imparfait, intéressant malgré tout. Le grand livre sur les synthés reste à faire, et en français c'est pas demain la veille !
4 people found this helpful
 Report